Thousands of baristas Starbucks they will intensify a strike who has climbed for five days, carrying the work stoppage a 300 stores in dozens of cities USA this tuesday December 24according to the union Starbucks Workers United. The protestwhich coincides with the christmas festivitiesseeks to put pressure on the company during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The union informed ABC News what 5,000 employees will join the protests in more than 25 statesincluding Maryland, Montana y California. Stores in cities like Columbus, Ohio, Cheyenne, Wyoming y Buffalo, New York, will be some of those affected, he explained Starbucks Workers United.
Las Christmas Eve strikes mark the final phase of a paro started on last Fridaydesigned to affect the operation of Starbucks during the christmas celebrations. “These strikes are an initial show of force, and we are just getting started,” he declared. Lauren Hollingsworthbarista at Ashland (Oregon)a ABC News.
He labor dispute arises from the lack of progress in the talks to establish a collective contract that regulates the working conditions of stores unionized. At the beginning of the year, Starbucks y Starbucks Workers United announced the creation of a “fundamental milestone” with the aim of achieving a agreement. However, the union maintains that Starbucks has not fulfilled its commitments.
Lynne Foxpresident of Workers Unitedcommented: “We were ready to close the framework this year, but Starbucks “I wasn’t,” in statements collected by ABC News.
The union accuses the company of refusing to negotiate salary increases and others benefits essential for workers. According to Workers United, Starbucks has not proposed salary increases immediate for most baristasand the offer presented only guarantees an increase in 1,5% in the coming years.
For its part, Starbucks maintains that the union’s demands are disproportionate. The company reported that Workers United has demanded a immediate increase of 64% in it minimum wage of hourly employees, as well as an overall increase in 77% during the three years of contract. “This is not sustainable,” commented a spokesperson for Starbucksa ABC News.
He work stoppage has already had tangible repercussions on the operation of Starbucks. According to Workers Unitednails 60 stores They temporarily closed on Monday due to a lack of staff.
Starbuckshowever, minimized the scope of the strike. Jay Go Guascha company spokesperson, told ABC News that only some 170 stores did not open as planned, which represents a fraction of the brand’s total establishments in USA. “With more than 10,000 stores operated by the company and 200,000 employeeshe 98% of our stores continue to operate during the fiestas“, he stated Go Guasch.
In a letter sent to employees, Sara Kellyexecutive vice president and head of partner operations of Starbucksreaffirmed the company’s position, highlighting that “the majority of stores Starbucks “They are open as usual and are receiving customers during the holidays.” Kelly anticipated that the expansion of the strike to hundreds of stores on Tuesday will have a “very limited impact” in the operations general.
Kelly He also blamed the union for stopping the talksstating that Starbucks is prepared to resume conversations at any time. “The union chose to walk away from the negotiating table last week. “We are ready to continue when they decide to return,” he declared. Kelly.
The christmas eve strike comes amid a boom in unionization from the stores Starbucks. More than 100 establishments of the chain have formed unions during 2023expanding a campaign which started three years ago in Buffalo, New York.
Since then, hundreds of stores Starbucks in 45 states have voted in favor of unionizewhich represents a significant challenge for the company. Starbucks Workers United has filed multiple complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)accusing the company of anti-union practices y bad faith negotiations.
The accusations brought forward include alleged closures of stores where employees voted in favor of unionizedismissals of organizing workers and intentional delays in the process of contract negotiation. Starbucks has strongly denied these accusations and maintains that the company offers better working conditions than its competitors.
According to Starbuckstheir store employees receive higher salaries to the sector average, as well as access to additional benefits as health coverage, educational enrollment y flexible hours.
- Massachusetts
- Chicago
- Ohio
- Colorado
- California
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Oregon
- Washington
- Missouri
- Arizona
- Maryland
- Montana
- Texas
- Wyoming
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Maine
- North Carolina
